Ringworm and the Ways of Treatment

Tinea corporis is a fugal infection caused by microorganisms called dermatophytes. Popular known as ringworm, tinea corporis refers to a fungal infection of the body or face. It was noticed that tinea corporis does not affect the beard area on men. This is a common infection believed to affect equally both men and women of any age. Most of the cases are seen in warm, tropical environments.

It is believed that ringworm is a superficial fungus infection. As it was written before ringworm is caused by dermatophytes which are a group of fungi who live in dead tissues of the skin. Trichophyton rubrum, microsporum canis and trichophyton mentagrophytes are the most common fungi responsible for ringworm.

Ringworm appears as a flat, scaly spot that looks like a pimple. The infection increases and a round and enlarged patch can be seen. Usually after its enlargement the center of the flat and round patch clears. The infection looks like a ring therefore the name. Though, this infection has nothing to do with no worms. In some infections such as those treated with a steroid like hydrocortisone the advancing borders or even the center of the infection can have vesicles or pustules.

Because the symptoms or the appearance of ringworm are similar to other skin conditions such as granuloma annulare, nummular eczema or tinea versicolor a KOH test is recommended. In most of the cases the diagnosis is set based on the appearance of the rash. More complex cases require this test that consists of an exam of the fungal cultures.

There are two possible ways of treating ringworm. Topical and oral treatments are the available solutions. As we know topical treatment has a benefic effect over this type of infections. Topical treatment consists of antifungal medicines that are applied on the infected areas. This treatment should last at least 3 weeks for the infection to disappear totally. It is recommended to use antifungal medicines twice a day. Even if the infection disappears after two weeks another week of treatment is necessary in order to completely eradicate the fungus. The most common lotions used in treating ringworm are miconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine.

Oral treatment of ringworm is recommended only if the lesion is spread over a large area. Oral treatment has to be taken once a day for 7 days in order to have the awaited result. In these cases oral antifungal medicines such as terbinafine and itraconazole are recommended.


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